Well-drilling apparatus.



E. RAND.

WELL DRILLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I8. 1914.

1,168,226. l Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

THE CDLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHXNGTON. D.

E. RAND.

WELL ummm; APPARATUS.

.APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18, 1914. n 1,168,226, Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- I E E WW1/meow 'n E COLUMBIA PLANQGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

` sleeves to compensate ED RAND, OF CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA.

WELL-DRILLING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

IJatentedJan. fil, 1916.

Application led June 18, 1914. Serial No. 845,891.

To all whom t may conce/m Be it known that I, ED RAND, a citizen of 'the United States, residing in the city of Charleston, county of Kanawha, and State of TWest f'irginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tell-Drilling Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to malre and use the same.

This invention relates to well drilling apparatus, and particularly to the cutting mechanism therefor.

The principal object of the invention is to so associate the cutting elements with the apparatus that they will be protected and reinforced against lateral forces which ordinarily tend to break and snap off the cutters. rfhe mounting for the cutters is of such character, however, as not to interfere with the efiicient operation of the cutters. This is accomplished by providing inner and outer sleeves slidably mounted on the lower end of the core-barrel, which sleeves are so designed as to produce a backing for 'the cutters and prevent lateral forces from breaking the same. To this end, certain por tions of the sleeves adjacent the cutters are extended almost to the lower edge of the cutters thus serving to reinforce the same throughout substantially their entire length. As the cutters wear and are gradually reduced in length, it is obvious that some means must be provided for raising the for such reduction in length of the cutters. The means employed for this purpose is preferably automatically operable, and as the cutters wear and are reduced in length, the sleeves are automatically raised, thus maintaining a proper relation between the lower edges of the cutters and the lower edges of the sleeves. The cutters, therefore, always project the proper distance beyond the lower edges of the sleeves, regardless of the length of the cutters.

The invention also consists in certain other features, which will be hereinafter described.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fi'gure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of the lower portion of a core-barrel showing the improved manner of mounting the cutters, a portion of the inner sleeve being broken away to expose the construction of certain of the other parts of the apparatus; Fig. 2 is a partial section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a partial section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l; Fig. l is a partial vertical section on the line l-f of Fig. l; Fig. is a sectional view showing a modified form of mounting for the cut ters; Fig. 6 is a broken view in elevation of the mounting of one of the cutters of Fig. 5; Fig. 'T is a partial section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6; and Figs. S and 9 are partial sections corresponding to the section shown in Fig. 7, and illustrating a modified mounting of the cutters.

Referring to the drawings, in which like reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views, the reference character l designates the lower portion of a cylindrical core-barrel of a well drilling apparatus, the lower edge of which is provided with a plurality of recesses or cut out portions 2, resulting in the formation of a number of depending teeth-like portions 3, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. The cutters t are adapted to be connected directly to the lower edges of the projecting portions 3. This is accomplished by means of suitable clips et, every alternate one being riveted or otherwise secured to the outer wall of the core-barrel, and the remaining clips being riveted or otherwise secured to the inner wall of the core-barrel. In Fig. l, those clips which are secured to the inner wall of the core-barrel are designated by 4, whereas the reference numeral l designates the only clip appearing in the drawing which is secured to the outer wall. As shown in the drawing, these clips are secured to the lower edges of the depending portions 3 and project beyond the lower edge of the portions 3 to hold the cutters in place. The lower edges of the clips are bent inwardly and engage in suitable recesses in the cutters to hold the latter in engagement with the lower edges of the depending portions 3 of the core-barrel.

An inner sleeve 5 engages the lower p0rtion of the core-barrel and is disposed in co-aXial relation therewith. The lower edge of this sleeve is irregular in shape, and has cut out portions to accommodate the clips 4 secured to the inner wall of the corebarrel. Such a cut out portion is indicated at 5a, and conforms to the rectangular shape of the cutter, as will be clear from Figs. l

and 2. Every other cutter is, therefore,

exposed atits inner face, as represented at G in Fig. 2, while the remaining cutters are covered at their inner face, as indicated at 7 in Fig. 2. l

An outer sleeve 8 encircles the outer wall of the core-barrel and is provided at its lower edge with cut-out portions which register and expose the outer faces of those cutters which are not exposed at their inner faces; that is, every other cutterhas its outer face exposed, as at 9, (Figs. 1 and 2). This outer sleeve covers the outer faces of the cutters which are exposed at their inner faces, as shown at 10, the sleeve being suitably enlarged or embossed to receive the cutter, as clearly shown in the drawings. The cut-out portions on the outer sleeve, indicated at 11, are adapted to accommodate the clips l secured to the outer wall of the core-barrel. The lower edge of each sleeve is adapted to come within a short distance of the lower edges of the cutters, so that the cutters may operate upon the material being drilled without the lower edges of the sleeves contacting therewith. The edges of the cut-out portions 5a and 11 of the inner and outer sleeves respectively, are preferably slightly curved outwardly and overlie the lateral edge portions of the cutters, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and the thickness of the cutters is preferably such as to cause the face 9 of every other cutter to lie in a cylindrical surface of slightly larger diameter than the diameter of the external, sleeve 8. The hole drilled by the apparatus will, therefore, be of suflicient diameter to accom` modate the outer sleeve 8 and the projecting portions 10 thereof. Likewise, the inner faces 6 of alternate cutters lie in a cylindrical surface of less diameter than the diameter of the internal sleeve 5, and, there` fore, the out in the material being drilled will be of such size as to leave a clearance between the sleeves 5 and 8 and the adjacent walls of the cut.

Obviously, if the sleeves 5 and 8 were permitted to remain in the positions above described, the cutters, when reduced in length by wear, would permit the lower edges of the sleeves to contact with the bottom of the well. The automatic means for raising the sleeves as the cutters wear, hereinbefore referred to, preferably consists of suitable filler blocks 12, which engage and are adapted toslide in the cut-out portions 2 of the lower portion of the core-barrel. These filler blocks alsoengage between the adjacent lateral edges of adjacent cutters, since the said filler blocks project nearly to the lower edges of the cutters, as best shown in `Fig. 1. The inner and outer sleeves are riveted or other wise secured directly to these filler blocks, and the said filler blocks, together with the inner and outer sleeves, therefore, move as a unit on the lower portion of the core-barrel, the construction being such that the cutters are, of course, permitted to remain in their normal lixed positions. For this purpose the sleeves are adapted to slide relative to the cutters, and the filler blocks 12 are adapted toy slide relative to the depending portions 3 of the core-barrel, and also the adjacent lateral edges of the cutters. Cen` trally located in each filler ,block is a longitudinal slidable pin 13 having a head portion lil normallyresting in and accommodated by a suitably formed recess 15, pro` vided in the'upper portion of the filler block. A leaf-spring 16 is secured to the upper edge of each liller block 12 and extends across the said recess 15, the spring being secured at its extremities to the filler block, preferably by means of screws 17 which engage in suitable slots 18 formed in the extremities of the spring. The spring is of sufficient length to permit its extremities to engage in the notches or teeth 19 formedv in' the lateral edges of the projecting portions 3 of the core-barrel.

From this construction, it is obvious that the internal and external sleeves, together with the filler blocks, are normally locked in position and vibration of the apparatus will not tend to permit the core-barrel and the cutters to lower without carrying with them, the internal and external sleeves. As the cutters become reduced in length, however, the pins 13, engaging with the bottom of the well, are gradually moved longitudi-` nally. This longitudinal movement of the pins dei'iects the springs 16 and arches the same; finally disengaging the extremities sek of the springs from teeth 19. Further pressure on the spring by the pin 18, or pressure on `the-bottom of the sleeves and filler blocks, will then move the filler blocks and the internal and external sleeves upwardly a certain distance until the extremities of the spring 14 are permitted to engage inthe next higher tooth 19. ln this new position of the sleeves 5 and 8, the lower edges of the cutters, therefore, project beyond the lower edges of the sleeves, and the cutters will properly operate until the pins 13 again arch the springs to such a position that, the above-named operations will be repeated. The protecting and reinforcing sleeves are, therefore, automatically moved upwardly as the cutters become reduced in length to permit a certain portion of the cutters to project beyond the lower edges of the sleeves at all times. In spite of this relative movement between the sleeves and the cutters, the cutters are so mounted on the core barrel by means of the sleeves, filler blocks, and clips Il, that they are braced against forces acting in substantially all directions.

Fig. 5 illustrates a modification in which the'oppo-site faces'of all the cutters are exresult in a clearance between the walls of the Cil if, which is secured to the core-barrel in the manner hereinbefore described, and which engages the cutter as hereinbefore explained. Fig, also clearly illustrates the opening in the inner sleeve which exposes the face of the cutter.

In Fig. '7, the parts shown in Fig. G are represented in section, from which it will be noted that both faces of the cutter are eX- posed near its lower portion. rlhe cut formed vin the drilled material will, therefore, be at least equal in width to the width of the cutter. In the form previously described, to wit, that. exemplified in Fig. 2, the width of the cut in the drilled material is greater than the width of one of the cutters, since every other cutter projects beyond the plane of the outer wall of the core-barrel, and the remaining cutters project beyond the plane of the inner wall of the core-barrel. This clearance between the walls of the cut and the walls of the core-barrel may be obtained in other ways, such as by the construction shown in Figs. S and 9. In this form, the cutters are mounted as in Fig. 9, but are canted or inclined to the vertical. Some of the cutters may be inclined inwardly from the top to the bottom, as shown in Fig. 8, and the lower face thereof will produce a cut, the wall of which is spaced from the inner wall of the core-barrel. These cutters will produce the inner clearance, and the outer clearance may be obtained by canting or inclining some of the cutters, preferably every other one, outwardly from the top to the bottom, as shown in Fig. 9. As the lower corner 21 of the cutter is farther from the center of the apparatus than any point on the outer wall of the core-barrel, it is obvious that the cut produced will be of greater diameter than the diameter of the core-barrel. The inner corner 22 of the cutter, in Fig. 8, lies closer to the center of the apparatus than any point on the inner wall of the core-barrel, and, therefore, a clearance will result between the inner wall of the core-barrel and the adjacent wall of the cut.

Obviously, other means may be resorted to for automatically shifting the position of the strengthening and reinforcing sleeves as the cutters wear, so I do not wish to limit myself to the eXact construction shown and described, the characteristic feature of the invention being that the said reinforcing or strengthening sleeves are of such character as to positively brace and strengthen the cutters against lateral forces by extending nearly to the lower edge of the cutters, and that means is provided for moving the sleeves upwardly to expose a new portion of the cutters as the latter gradually reduce in length. The cutters are, therefore, reinforced or braced throughout practically their whole length at all times, regardless of the length of the cutters, and the proper amount of the cutters projects beyond thelower edge of the sleeves at all times to produce the proper cutting action.

It is obvious that the sleeves may be moved or adjusted manually'instead of au-v tomatically, if so desired, by reducing the length of the pins 13 until they are at least flush with the bottom of the sleeves and liller blocks. The sleeves will then not be shifted automatically, but may be adjusted by hand by forcing the pins 13 upwardly to permit movement of the sleeves. Furthermore, the pins 13 may be omitted entirely and temporary ones used, when it is desired to adjust the sleeves.

The apparatus may be used for other purposes than drilling wells and the term welldrilling apparatus, as used in the specification and claims, is to be interpreted as applying to any cylindrical cutting mechanism.

Vhat I claim is 1. In a well drilling apparatus, the combination with a core barrel, of cutting elements associated therewith, and adjustable bracing and reinforcing means for said cutters.

2. In a well drilling apparatus, the combination with a core-barrel, of cutting elements associated therewith, and means eX- tending within a short distance of the lower edges of the cutting elements to brace the same against lateral forces, and means automatically operable as said elements wear to shift the position of said means to maintain the projecting relation of said elements.

3. In a well drilling apparatus, the combination with a core-barrel, of cutting elements associated therewith, means for mounting said elements on the barrel with the lower edges of the elements projecting beyond said mounting means, and means to maintain such relation between the elements, and mounting means regardless of the reduction in length of the elements caused by Wear.

4l. In a well drilling apparatus, the combination with a core-barrel, of cutting elements associated therewith, means for mounting said elements on the barrel with the lower edges of the elements projecting beyond said mounting means, and means automatically operable as the elements wear to maintain the Vprojecting relation of the same. I

5. In a well drilling apparatus, the combination with a core-barrel, of cutting elements associated therewith, inner and outer sleeves slidably mounted on the core-barrel and serving to brace the cutting elements against lateral forces, the lower edges of said sleeves extending within a short distance of the lower edges of said cutting elements so that thelatter project slightly beyond the former, and means automatically operableas the cutting elementswear to shift said sleeves upwardly and thereby maintain the projecting relation of said elements.

6. In a well drilling apparatus, the combination with a core-barrel, of cutting elements associated therewith, inner and outer sleeves slidably mounted on the core-barrel and serving to brace the cutting elements against lateral forces, the lower edges oi'- said sleeves extending within a short distance ot the lower edgesof said cutting elements so that the latter project slightly beyond the former, and mechanism associated with the sleeves and having an element adapted to contact with the bottom of the well when the cutting elements wear to actuate said mechanism and thereby shift said sleeves upwardly to maintain the projecting relation of said elements. i

7. In a well drilling apparatus, the combinationwith a core-barrel, of cutting elements associated therewith, means l for mounting said elements on the barrel so that certain oi' the cutters will be canted in one direction laterally of the coreV barrel and others will becanted in the opposite direction, and means automatically operable as the elements wear to maintain the'v projecting relation of the cutters.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

ED RAND.

Vitnesses:

VERNON T. HoUGHToN, ELENOR C. SOHUERMANN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing` the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

